Easter Portraits

March 23, 2008 - Celebrating the day of Christ's return to us, Pancho and Stella pose for portraits. The first captures Pancho having a meditative moment in his favourite perch on the back of a livingroom chair.

The second shows Stella mugging for the camera.

You might have noticed, both Pancho and Stella had their spring haircuts. They were done by Groomer 2 Go owner Angella Jennings.

In Angela's defence, the close shave on Pancho was necessitated by knotting in his undercoat. Sorry Pancho, we'll try to comb you more often for next time.

Personality Differences

March 2008 - Many of you have by now met both Pancho and Stella, and have noticed their marked personality differences. The following is a pictoral tribute to these differences.

The first shows Pancho trying to scamper away, while Stella is trying to squeeze her furry head into the shot.

In this next one (top, right), Pancho is able to better tolerate having his picture taken, while in the loving arms of his mother.

Below mamma's boy is peering out from behind her petticoat, while Stella takes a turn ducking for cover. Vive la difference!

Stella's Got a New Groove!

October 14, 2007 - After more than a month of hanging around the office, it's about time we gave her a job title.  Effective today, Stella is the new Aegis recreation director.  When asked how she felt about her new assignment, she promptly rolled over onto her back (below) and asked for a tummy rub.

Here she is busking for biscuits in the back yard.  This girl is quite the diva.  She'll do almost anything for attention!

Vacationing on Galiano

August, 2007 - This year the John and Gigi vacationed on Galiano Island, and naturally the kids came with us, safely buckled into their seats with doggie restraints.  We scaled Mount Galiano, and enjoyed the view there as well as at the bluffs and Lover's Leap.

Below, Stella gets her first experience of ocean at Pebble Beach.

Victoria's Hottest Day Ever

July 11, 2007 - The second most popular question on everyone's mind was, "How will Stella cope with Victoria's hottest day ever?".

When in doubt, sit in the shade -- under an open dishwasher door!

Or, lay on the cool ceramic tile at the base of the fireplace (top right).

Better still, why not lay on Luis' lap (below) in the only air conditioned room of the house?

Stella's Homecoming

July 8, 2007 - The first question on everyone's mind was answered within a few hours of Stella's arrival at her new home today.

"How will Pancho and Stella get along?"

Pancho is shown at left, harnessed up for a walk.  But wait, is that Stella grabbing his leash?  Yes it is!

Hold on, it's not Stella's job to walk Pancho!

We can all go for a walk outside, but untill she gets her full immunization, Stella will be riding in Gigi's doggie pouch.

Pancho's Summer Haircut

July 7, 2007 - Pancho's new Andis AGC 2 speed hair clippers arrived by express post, just in time for his summer haircut this weekend.

Here's our pretty boy after his shave and shower.  Best of all, John managed to stay out of the doghouse by resisting the urge to cut more.  Only Pancho's pink little belly was shaved bare.

School's Out!

June 22, 2007 - Pancho finished his first year of work as an educational aid in Gigi (below) and Shannon's middle school classroom, at the Selkirk Montessori School today.  Meanwhile, his 8 week old sister, Stella (right) awaits the arrival of her new owners, at her birth home in Crofton.

Stella Meets John

May 20, 2007 - Stella is four weeks old, and has just had a bath -- looking spiffy for her first meeting with Pappa.  She snuggled into John's arms as he helped her get warm.  Typical of the easy going Havanese temerament, she was equally comfortable laying on her back as she was her tummy.

She shown in the picture her having her ears rubbed.  In a minute, she'll be off to play with her brother's and sisters!

Stella Turns Two (Weeks)

May 7, 2007 - Pictured next to a soup can on her two week birthday, there is no doubt that Stella is cute, but will she be as cute as Pancho?

Perhaps it's a little too soon to tell, however ...

... early indications are that she'll be every bit as cute as her older brother!

Pancho is Told

April 30, 2007 - The news of his sister being born was broken to Pancho this week.  His reaction -- judge for yourself (below) -- seemed to be a mixture of concern and distain.  His first question was, "Do I get to be alpha male?".

We reminded Pancho that being male didn't necessarily make him alpha dog, and that we would just have to wait and see.

Back at her birth home in Crofton, Stella is blissfully unaware of the hubbub her birth has created in Victoria.  She is one week old today!

A Star is Born

April 23, 2007 - Precioso Pancho has a new sister.  Like Pancho, she is a Cuban Havanese born to Zorro and Chiquita of the Seantiago Havanese breeders in Crofton.  Unlike Pancho who is all white, she is all black except for her paws, chest and a dot on her snout.

Her name is Estrella Negra or Black Star.  You can call her Stella for short.

We hope to bring her home at the end of June or early July.  If all goes according to plan she'll debut in the office toward the end of September.

New Scheduling System

February 12, 2007 - Aegis is proud to announce it new scheduling system, courtesy of Google Calendar™.  Now when you want to know what time Dr. Cook is available in the next month or so for an initial interview, or an individual psychotherapy session, it’s as simple as typing GoSeeJohn.com in your browser. This url will take you to the Go See John Website where Google Calendar will appear in “agenda” mode with a display of Dr. Cook’s available times.  If you see a time that works for you, leave it, with your name, on John's confidential voicemail at 881-1206,

or send it in an email to [email protected] with your name and a phone number where you can be reached. John, Lu or Gigi will call to confirm your appointment time. If you need something sooner, let us know so we can put you on the cancellation list.

$50.00 Off Sale

February 3, 2007 - Our Christmas sale of SAD lamps is over, but some of our rental units are now available for purchase at $50 off the regular price.  Our rent-to-own policy encourages Aegis clients to try the SAD lamps before they buy them, because the lamps may not always be therapeutically effective.

Now you can benefit from this policy even if you haven't rented a lamp, by having 2 weeks rent or $50 taken off the purchase price of our rental units.

The rental units are all in good working condition, and differ from the originals only in having been rented for 2 to 4 weeks before being put up for sale.  Click here for more information.

Presents for Pancho

December 25, 2006 - Santa brought Pancho a chicken stuffy and his very own couch (shown at right) for Christmas this year.  Taking time out from the festivities to address his adoring public, the 11-month-old Cuban Havanese remarked "I wuf Christmas!", and wished everyone all the best in the New Year!

Christmas Sale

December 1, 2006 - Efective today, all of the Aegis SAD lamps, including a new dawn simulator alarm clock, are available to walk-in customers for $175 - well below the suggested retail price.  These lamps include, in order of appearance, the 10,000 lux Daylight - DL 930, both the traditional and new Elite litebooks, and the Verilux Rise and Shine alarm clock.

Sad News

November 10, 2006 - Aegis will be losing a valued employee two weeks from today when Nancy heads off (hopefully) toward brighter horizons.  The change was prompted by a surprise visit earlier in the week from the  business license inspector for the Municipality of Saanich.

The inspector found Aegis in violation of a regulation governing home-based businesses stating that the business may only employ people who are residents of the home.

Nancy has been an integral part of the Aegis operation for more than two years.  She co-facilitated cognitive behavioural therapy groups, completely updated the Aegis QRMS record-keeping system, helped out at the annual Men's Health Day, and has been in charge of selling SAD lamps.  She will be sorely missed!

Nancy's capable replacement will be Luis Cook.  Some of you may recall him helping out with reception in the old office.  Luis is currently in training and will working afternoons, Monday through Thursday, starting November 27.

Pancho's First Haircut

October 8, 2006 - The second most dreaded event in every pre-adolescent dog's life is Dad buying a home haircut kit.  The most dreaded event is that first haircut.  Aaaagh!

Pancho: "Just how much hair are you planning to take off?"

Dad:  "This much."

Pancho: "Well okay, I suppose I can handle that, but let Mom comb me once you're done."

Dad: "Deal."

Pancho: "Hey, this isn't half bad."

Dad: "Told ya."

Yes, it's true, Aegis' official greeter and morale officer was given his first ever haircut today.   Oh sure, he's had a trim here and there, around the eyes and the pads of his feet, but never all over, and never with that big noisy clipper machine!

Good news!  He survived and will no doubt live to see his 8 month anniversary a couple of weeks from now.

Dr. Cook Presents on CBT

September 19, 2006 - Dr. Cook presented on the topic of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) at a schizophrenia treatment team retreat at the Victoria Mental Health Centre.  The event was attended by case managers, psychiatrists, and students.   The 45-slide powerpoint presentation is available for viewing online in HTML format, or it may be downloaded as a PDF file.

The presentation gave an explanation of CBT, talked about the attitudes and approaches that distinguishes CBT from other therapies, and illustrated these approaches in reference to the past 10 years of group and individual programs at Aegis.

Dr. Cook wrapped up his presentation by proposing new 16-week, group CBT program for young men and women in the early stages of

schizophrenia, and by asking for feedback from the treatment team.  Dr. Cook suggested working in partnership with the Victoria branch of the B.C. Schizophrenia Society in making his proposal a reality.

New Group at Aegis this Fall
September 1, 2006 - In the last 10 years, more than 120 people have successfully completed Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Social Anxiety at Aegis. A recurring question from group members at graduation has been, "Is there some formal way of continuing the work they have begun?". Now there is a way of continuing the work, by attending Cognitive Behavioural Group Therapy for Social Anxiety - Level II.

Level II will provide a brief refresher of the same cognitive behavioural concepts and skills learned in Level I. Most important, participants will be challenged to grow through exposure exercises that take the form of role-play simulations of some key social/performance situations in their lives.

Meetings will take place in the evening starting the third or fourth week of Sepember until the middle of December 2006, in the new Aegis office at 4506 Chatterton Way. The cost of the 12 weekly psychotherapy sessions is $840.00. Level I graduates are encouraged to call and leave a message at 881-1206 if they are at all interested in attending.  My assistant will then confirm a night of the week, and if 5 or more people are able to attend the same night, then the group will go ahead. Hope to hear from you soon!

Pancho Recovers from Surgery
August 17, 2006 - At six months, it was time for Pancho to do his part to limit growth in the world's Havanese population.  He was operated on at the Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital under the care of Dr. Angie Chambers on August 15, 2006.  He had some loose baby teeth extracted, and some worrisome pre-emergent back molars x-rayed at the same time.

Puppy and parents survived the procedure with flying colours!  Pancho is now in recovery, and must not roughhouse, run or jump for the next 10 to 14 days.  Judging from the picture, he's taking the doctor's orders seriously!

Pancho is modelling blue plaid athletic shorts -- the latest fashion for Fall, designed to prevent him from licking his incision.  So far they seem to be working pretty well, although at night he sports a clear plastic cone for extra security. Pancho raves about his new shorts, but he'd rather do without the cone.

Aegis Has a New Home
June 1, 2006 - Completion of the Aegis home office represents the culmination of a dream, several years of planning and one year of construction. Officially, the Municipality of Saanich calls it an "accessory building" on a residential lot that is designated for home office use. Psychologically, it is a safe and private sanctuary in a relaxing, cottage-like setting, complete with garden and eventually, water features such as a waterfall and koi pond. The approach from Royal Oak Avenue is a fenced laneway that merges into a landscaped, cobblestone roundabout with parking and separate exit. From the parking area, visitors are greeted by an ornate flagstone pathway, bordered by the deep hues of a natural cedar fence, that leads to a California-style stucco building emblazened with the new Aegis logo.

On the peak of the office roof is a weather vane that symbolizes the direction in their lives that clients find within. Once inside, clients sit on maple furnishings surrounded by dark brown tones, and listen to familiar background music while browsing an assortment of reading material. A sound-insulated door opens onto the counselling office that features subtle greens, a vaulted ceiling and a Tiffany lamp ceiling fan. The comfort of a leather recliner beckons!

Aegis's New Addition
Precioso Pancho
Morale Officer

May 1, 2006 - Pancho's job is to greet you and to cheer you up, as well as to keep other staff in check. He's most happy cuddling on your lap, but he'll get by with a pat on the head. No worries about allergies or getting hairs on your clothing, he's hypo allergenic and does not shed. Pancho's a real bundle of joy!

Pancho is a Cuban Havanese shown here at eight weeks of age, and was referred to us by the Seantiago Havanese breeders in Crofton.